Now, we know that the South sure has many stories to tell. Some are sweet as iced tea but today I’m here to share some honest history with y’all. We must remember that the immense suffering and oppression of enslaved African Americans built the foundation of the South. Their forced labor shaped the industries that still stand strong in our beautiful state today. This system of pain and injustice left a scar on the heart of the South that will forever remain. We must always recognize the painful past of our beloved South instead of tryin’ to hide from it.
Culloden City Cemetery and Slave Cemetery
I talk a lot about Forsyth and Juliette, but there’s another town in Monroe County I want to turn y’all’s attention to. Culloden is a tiny town with around 200 people livin’ there, but it holds an important and rich history. Within this quaint town reside two cemeteries: the Culloden City Cemetery and the Slave Cemetery. As you meander around both, you’ll notice something is amiss right away! In the Culloden City Cemetery, ornate marble and granite headstones stand high watchin’ over the souls buried there. As for the Slave Cemetery, a chain link fence separates it from the main portion. It’s a quiet patch of grass with a small monument in the center. This monument is the only indication that anyone is buried here. Y’all won’t find engravings, labels nor any sign of the history of the lives of the people who were buried there. It breaks my heart to see so many identities lost.
Community Efforts
But there is a light shinin’ through the story of this small plot. A group of community members are tryin’ to make things right, and I wanna take a moment to recognize their hard work. Remember that monument I mentioned earlier? As y’all may have guessed, it’s not original to the cemetery. The City Council of Culloden added it back in 2000 as a start to a plan to honor all of the unknown souls buried. The marker on the monument reads, “We know not who they are, but they are loved ones of God and man and will never be forgotten.”
Preservation efforts for the site have continued, spearheaded by Dr. Margie Bryant. This includes ensurin’ the graves are respectfully and lovingly cared for and maintained. A city councilmember and long-serving volunteer firefighter (for nearly years!), Dr. Margie has always prioritized servin’ her community in any way she can. As a woman of color, preserving the slave cemetery naturally became a passion project for her. Last year, the Boy Scouts of American Central Georgia Council recognized Dr. Margie with a Golden Eagle Award for her community service and shining example.
Remembrance
More recently, three local students from Gordon College took the initiative to remember the lost souls with a small ceremony. As pictured above, the students placed a bouquet at the monument while members of the community, like the assistant principal of Hubbard Elementary, spoke a few words.
Though small and unassuming, Culloden’s Slave Cemetery is well worth a visit to see it in person. The cemetery stands as a testament to resilience, memory and the ongoin’ struggle for recognition. It’s an opportunity not only to show our respect and gratitude for those who came before us, but also to honor those whose lives were marked by hardship and oppression. Most importantly, to ensure they are not erased from our history.
For more stories about Forsyth, take a look at our online collection.
‘Till Next Time,
Your Storyteller
